Multifunctional Storage Device with Built-in Software Controlled I/O Bus

Abstract

A multifunctional storage device with a built-in software controlled I/O bus includes a transmission interface plug, a transmission interface hub, at least one I/O device, at least one bridge and a built-in storage device. The built-in storage device includes a memory controller and a memory module, and the memory module stores a software program and an auto-run setup program for automatically controlling and turning on or off connected to at least one I/O device (such as an extended device including a built-in device and an external device) of the bridge, such that a user can save the trouble of installing complicated driver programs and performing a manual setup to achieve a real plug-and-play function.

1 . A multifunctional storage device with a built-in software controlled I/O bus, comprising:
 a transmission interface plug, inserted onto a slot of an external electronic device;   a transmission interface hub, connected to the transmission interface plug, for converting a transmission interface into a plurality of transmission interfaces for use;   at least one I/O device, for providing expanded memory storage and I/O functions;   at least one bridge, for converting a transmission interface signal of the transmission interface hub into an I/O interface signal of the I/O device, or converting an I/O interface signal of the I/O device into a transmission interface signal; and   a built-in storage device, connected to the transmission interface hub, and including a memory controller and a memory module provided for storage, and the bridge allocating signals of the transmission interface plug for the transmission interface plug and the I/O device, such that the transmission interface plug and the I/O device can share a transmission interface at the same time;   wherein the memory controller divides the memory module into an auto-execution area and a general storage area, wherein the auto-execution area stores a software program and a driver program required by the corresponding I/O device, and the general storage area stores an auto-run setup program for allowing a user to modify a parameter of the setup program according to the user's habit, and store a newly added driver program for an extended use of at least one I/O device.   
     
     
         2 . The multifunctional storage device with a built-in software controlled I/O bus of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission interface plug and the transmission interface hub uses an interface with a specification selected from the collection of USB, IEEE 1394 and eSATA. 
     
     
         3 . The multifunctional storage device with a built-in software controlled I/O bus of  claim 2 , wherein the memory controller is a flash memory controller. 
     
     
         4 . The multifunctional storage device with a built-in software controlled I/O bus of  claim 3 , wherein the I/O device has an I/O interface which is a serial interface. 
     
     
         5 . The multifunctional storage device with a built-in software controlled I/O bus of  claim 4 , wherein the I/O device is built in the multifunctional storage device. 
     
     
         6 . The multifunctional storage device with a built-in software controlled I/O bus of  claim 4 , further comprising a connector for connecting at least one I/O device if the I/O device is an external device, and electrically connecting the bridge. 
     
     
         7 . The multifunctional storage device with a built-in software controlled I/O bus of  claim 4 , wherein the I/O device transmits a control signal to the memory controller through a software program to turn on or off the I/O bus.